Show ContentsSpens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Spens Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Spens

What does the name Spens mean?

The Spens surname derives from the Old French word "despense," from the Latin "dispendere" meaning "to dispense;" as such, it is thought to have been an occupational surname for the custodian of the pantry or larder of a great house or monastery.

Early Origins of the Spens family

The surname Spens was first found in Fife where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and it is claimed by some that the family name is descended from the ancient and Royal House of the Earls of Fife. Early records show a John Spens, who was bailie of Irvine in 1260.

Early History of the Spens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spens research. Another 229 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1320, 1358, 1365, 1385, 1390, 1415, 1426, 1428, 1480, 1520, 1571, 1573, 1598, 1599, 1627, 1628 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Spens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spens Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spence, Spens, Spense, Spenceley, Spencley and many more.

Early Notables of the Spens family

  • Thomas de Spens (1415?-1480), was Bishop of Aberdeen, third son of John de Spens of Glen Douglas and Lathallan
  • Sir James Spens (fl. 1571-1627), was a Scottish adventurer and diplomatist, son of David Spens of Wormiston. "In 1598 he and several other Scottish gentlemen, including his stepfather, Sir James Anstr...
  • Sir John Spens (1520?-1573), of Condie, was Queen's advocate, son of James Spens of Condie

Migration of the Spens family to Ireland

Some of the Spens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Spens family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Sara Spence, who settled in Virginia in 1623; John Spenceley, who sailed to Barbados in 1635; Francis Spence, who was in Virginia in 1635; Robert Spence, who came to Virginia in 1654.

Contemporary Notables of the name Spens (post 1700) +

  • E. C. Spens, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of Alpena, Michigan, 1914 1
  • William George Michael Spens (1914-1984), British Army officer and peer, 2nd Baron Spens
  • Sir William Spens (1882-1962), English educator, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University (1931-1933)
  • Patrick Spens (1885-1973), British lawyer, judge, and politician, Chief Justice of India (1943-1947), created 1st Lord Spens of Blairsanquhar, Fife, in 1959

The Spens Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Patior ut potior
Motto Translation: I endure as I enjoy
  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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